Image of the old city of Najaf from August 2001 (Credit: Space Imaging Eurasia, 08/24/01)

Image of the old city of Najaf from March of 2003 (Credit: DigitalGlobe, 3/27/03)

In the recent confrontation with Sadr's militia, US forces closed several roads to cordon off the shrine and immediate area. (Credit: Space Imaging Eurasia, 08/24/01)

Many of the recent clashes between the Mahdi Army and American forces have occured in this vast cemetery on the western edge of Najaf. Measuring 1485.5 acres (601.1 hectacres), several million Iraqis are buried here. (Credit: Space Imaging Eurasia, 08/24/01)

The heaviest recent fighting has occured as US forces advanced across the cemetery towards the old city. (Credit: Space Imaging Eurasia, 04/25/04)

The cemetery forms the northern border for the old city center of Najaf. (Credit: Space Imaging Eurasia, 04/25/04)

The shrine was damaged during the Shiia uprising of 1991 and was closed for reconstruction for the following two years. (Credit: Space Imaging Eurasia, 08/24/01)